Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Dexter-Themed Ben & Jerry's Ice-Cream Flavour

From Jon Defreest, the graphic designer who brought us the True Blood-themed sunscreen for vamps, comes this dangerously-delectable Dexter-Themed Ben & Jerry’s Flavour. Someone needs to manufacture and market this right now! I would buy it in a heartbeat and it could sit in my fridge, right next to the bottles of Tru-Blood. Just kidding, we all know this ice cream is much better suited to the dark passengers of the world. Oh, and for the record, I also don't actually have bottles of Tru-Blood in my fridge.
Photobucket
Vulture.com
The only thing missing is a disclaimer: Body parts ARE included.
Season Premiere of Dexter is at 9pm ET on Sunday, October 2nd.

Friday, August 26, 2011

How to Make It in America Season 2 Un-Cut Trailer

Season 2 of How to Make It in America, premiering October 2nd, is fast approaching, promising lots of Girls, Guns, and Gina Gershon. Hopefully this season they can get past the, "I'm a cool, New York hipster, living my edgy, not-mainstream, life", and actually look like they're having fun living it.


Can't knock the hustle.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Fake Ad for True Blood-Themed Vampire Sunscreen

You know how Sookie's faerie blood acts as a temporary sun-repellent for the vamps on True Blood? Somehow, after feeding on Sookie, they're temporarily able walk in the daylight without burning and spontaneously-combusting into a pile of goo. Well, graphic artist John Defreest, has created an ad for a Vampire Grade Sunblock, made with 'real' fairy blood! It's genius, I tell you - genius!

Photobucket
Vulture.com

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Top Picks for TIFF 2011

I can hardly contain my excitement and anticipation for the Toronto International Film Festival and I may be a bit biased being a Toronto native, but it is definitely one of the best festivals out there, especially for film junkies. In just two weeks, Hollywood's A-list will be flocking in, taking over our theatres, streets and restaurants. And, I couldn't be happier.

Top picks for 2011 TIFF:

Drive
"Ryan Gosling plays a stunt driver by day, getaway driver by night in this lean and mean crime thriller by the director of Valhalla Rising that won Best Direction in Cannes." (Tiff.net) 
Two words: Ryan GoslingIt's no secret that I'd much rather kick back and watch Goodfellas or The Departed for the umpteenth time, than give any attention to some of the derivative action flicks that've been released lately. And, as a proud Canadian (and former fan of The Mickey Mouse Club and Breaker High!), I love me some Ryan Gosling and I truly believe Carey Mulligan is pretty much close to perfection. She has a subtle, yet distinct, on-screen presence that the world fell in love with after her Oscar-nominated role in An Education. Also must mention the stellar supporting cast that includes Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and the gorgeous Christina Hendricks (Mad Men).




The Ides of March
"George Clooney is back in the director’s chair for this edgy political drama set in the days leading up to a fictional presidential primary. Clooney also stars as a Democratic candidate who schools his idealistic campaign press secretary (Ryan Gosling) in the dubious machinations of modern politics." (Tiff.net)
With the current economic landscape the way it is, Politics are on everyone's mind, so this film couldn't be more relevant. And with this accomplished cast (seriously, let's count the Oscar noms between them all), including Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, and Marisa Tomei, this film could very well be a contender for the next year's Academy Awards.



Like Crazy
"Anna (Felicity Jones) notices Jacob (Anton Yelchin) in one of her college classes in Los Angeles. In a move worthy only of her youth, she scribbles a love poem and leaves it on his car. The pair soon catapults into that most potent brand of romance: naïve, pure and possibly fleeting." (Tiff.net)
I don't know, I've got a thing for coming-of-age 'romantical' stories. Especially ones that look as heart-breaking as Blue Valentine... and that's saying a lot. Either way, I'm taking my tissues just in case. With realistic challenges to their relationship (like immigration, and not feuding, Romeo & Juliet-type families), this film takes an honest look at a long-distance relationship between two college kids. And to add to the realism of this film, apparently the actors improvised their dialogue.



Martha Marcy May Marlene
"This graceful portrait of a young woman trying to extricate herself from a cult has the flavor of an early Terrence Malick film like Days of Heaven." (Tiff.net)
Did you know the Olsen twins had another sister? A younger one, who's an actress and apparently a very good one? Elizabeth Olsen makes her first on-screen appearance as a young woman struggling to return to 'normalcy' after escaping a sexual-religious cult. It looks haunting, a little bit intoxicating, and mysterious - all the things a film about cult-life, should probably look like.


Friends With Kids
"When a few members of a close group of married and single friends start to have children, it has a big impact on everyone." (Tiff.net)
Thought I'd break up the seriousness of my TIFF list with a romantic comedy. Jon Hamm's other half, Jennifer Westfeldt, makes her Directorial debut with a slew of Hollywood stars - Megan Fox, Edward Burns, Kristin Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and of course, Mr. Mad Men himself. Wonder how many of them will show up to TIFF?

Boo... no trailer yet.

Hysteria
"Maggie Gyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy star in this cheeky romantic comedy about the invention of the vibrator. Victorian London is brought to life in vivid colour as a young doctor (Dancy) struggles to establish himself while confronting the gutsy daughter of his boss (Gyllenhaal). Rupert Everett and Felicity Jones play supporting roles." (Tiff.net)
Picture this: the late 1800s, Victorian era, London. The first thing that comes to your mind is vibrator, am I right? Probably not but this does look hella funny and hilariously bold. All of a sudden I've got Marky Mark on my mind. Good vibrations, anyone?...too easy?



Want more TIFF 2011 picks? 
Here are some more buzzworthy films on my festival list.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

25 Greatest Unscripted Scenes in Films

"Leave the gun", is nothing without, "take the cannoli". Just like, "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti", is incomplete without the chilling and iconic hissing noise Anthony Hopkins makes in The Silence of the Lambs.

This video of the 25 greatest unscripted movie scenes is a great compilation featuring some of the most iconic scenes in film history. Scenes you wouldn't expect, were apparently spur-of-the-moment, authentic improvisations, which might just explain why they made such a significant impact on audiences, and continue to resonate after so many years.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon

Urge Overkill's cover of "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon", just came up on my iPod shuffle - yes, of course I've got the entire Pulp Fiction soundtrack on there. As always, I felt like watching this scene for the millionth time. Just cuz. Tarantino is the master of choosing the best pop songs for his soundtracks and the Pulp Fiction track-list is no exception. Eclectic beyond words, he mixes classic rock and roll, soul, and of course, the surf music that has come to represent Pulp Fiction, to perfection.

The music doesn't act as simply a filler, playing in the background of whatever's happening on-screen. It IS what's happening. Tarantino brings the music to the forefront, seamlessly weaving it with the characters and plot. Somehow it seems natural when characters start dancing and singing along to a track that's playing, at least in Tarantino's world.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Paul Rudd Pitches Marketing Ideas for 'Our Idiot Brother'

Paul Rudd's newest Funny or Die video made an Entertainment Marketing enthusiast like me, swoon just a little bit. Not because it's Paul Rudd (which is in itself a good enough reason to swoon, 'cause he will always be Cher's dreamy ex-step-brother, Josh). But, because he spends 3 or so minutes pitching Marketing ideas to Harvey-freaking-Weinstein, Hollywood producer-extraordinaire, for his newest comedy, Our Idiot Brother. Yup - Paul Rudd pitching Marketing strategy, and off of toilet paper, no less.

If you get one thing out of watching this video (aside from how ridiculously funny Paul Rudd is), it's that, as a Marketing, PR or Advertising professional, you shouldn't be afraid to get creative and think outside the box, even if it means brainstorming through the silliest, out-of-this-world, ideas, to find the one that maximizes exposure and also fits perfectly with your product. Also, never let the 'talent' get involved with the Marketing side of things because obviously their egos can't handle the rejection. (note: see what happened to Oscar?)